Hilton to manage top Jordan convention centre

Dead Sea (Jordan), September 1, 2010

Jordan-based King Hussein Bin Talal Convention Centre, one of the largest convention centres in the region, has been relaunched under the management of Hilton Hotels & Resorts brand.

The convention centre is adjacent to the 285-room Hilton Dead Sea Resort & Spa that is currently under development and which is scheduled to open in the fourth quarter of 2014, said a company statement.

With almost 5,000 sq m of meeting space and 23,000 sq m of build-up area spread over 25 conference and meeting rooms and three floors, the convention centre is one of the largest in the region. It can accommodate approximately 5000 guests.

Hilton Worldwide manages the Convention Centre through an agreement with Dead Sea Resorts PSC Company, said a top official.

“This partnership will leverage the Hilton brand’s global expertise and innovative leadership in meetings and large scale events for the benefit of the region as Jordan continues its growth in this segment. Hilton is the leader in global hospitality and we are excited to expand our portfolio in this market,” remarked Dave Horton, global head, Hilton Hotels & Resorts brand.

As part of Jordan’s strategy to capture MICE (meetings, incentives, conventions, exhibitions) business, the convention centre has hosted and will host international conferences such as the World Economic Forum (WEF) in 2007, 2009 and May 2011, the International Monetary Fund, as well as local and regional conferences, workshops and exhibitions.

With fully-equipped conference and meeting halls that vary in size and capacity, the centre is able to accommodate numerous events with different capacity requirements simultaneously.

“Jordan is a key development market for us in our regional development strategy. As an upscale resort and therapeutic area, the Dead Sea is an ideal location to increase our presence in the Jordanian Kingdom where modernization meets with a rich history," said Jean-Paul Herzog, president of Hilton Worldwide, MEA.

The convention centre will further strengthen the Hilton portfolio in Jordan, becoming the first project managed by the Hilton brand in the Kingdom, as one of five other new developments for Hilton Worldwide in the country.

It will join three new Hilton brand hotels in Aqaba, Amman and Dead Sea areas as well as the first Doubletree by Hilton hotel in Aqaba, he added.

“As we face a surge in business travel across Jordan, Hilton Worldwide’s established credentials and well- positioned brands will help us manage demand and meet conference and incentive travellers’ high expectations for this new conversion,” said Said Darwazah, chairman of Dead Sea Resorts.-TradeArabia News Service